Albert Pujols Free Agent News: Best Offer All 30 Teams Could Make the Slugger

When Albert Pujols becomes a free agent this winter, he will be one of the most sought after player to ever hit the market. Teams will be lining up to throw money at Pujols, but there is the question of how much each team could realistically spend.

There are a number of teams who will not even be making offers to Pujols. They already have a top flight first baseman or they simple can't afford Pujols because he would take up such a large percentage of their budget.

Baltimore Orioles

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Offer: six years, $150 million

Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos is willing to spend money to make his team better. His only problem is that big name players have not wanted to come to Baltimore when there are similar offers on the table.

If there is a mystery team in the bidding this winter, it is likely that it could be the Orioles. They may only be used to drive up the price, but Baltimore will certainly be interested.

Boston Red Sox

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Offer: seven years, $175 million

While the Boston Red Sox already have one big name first baseman, it is not out of the realm of possibility for them to go after Albert Pujols. If this were to happen, then it would mean that David Ortiz would not be coming back.

The Red Sox would almost instantly have the best lineup in baseball if they decided to replace Ortiz with Pujols. However, there would be the question of who between Pujols or Adrian Gonzalez would DH.

Chicago White Sox

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Offer: four years, $65 million

While the North Siders have a chance of bringing Albert Pujols to Chicago, the only chance that Pujols will be on the South Side is when he chooses to go their for dinner or when the Cubs visit the White Sox in their yearly series.

The Chicago White Sox already have Paul Konerko at first base and they have two bad deals, Alex Rios and Adam Dunn, that are limiting them from spending serious money.

Cleveland Indians

If the Indians were able to sign Albert Pujols, the city of Cleveland would have a superstar who could possibly replace He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

There is a spot for Pujols in the Indians' lineup, but the team might not be able to afford him. The Indians have a payroll just under $50 million last year and it would grow significantly if they added Pujols.

Colorado Rockies

The one big name that the Colorado Rockies have been linked to already this year is David Wright. However, he is not the only one that they could be after this winter.

Colorado could make a move for Albert Pujols, but Todd Helton still has two years left on his deal, albeit at around $5 million a year. The Rockies could surprise a few people with the offer that they can make for Pujols.

Detroit Tigers

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Offer: six years, $162 million

If Miguel Cabrera was still in good enough shape to play at third base, there would be a chance that the Tigers could have had the best corner infield combination in MLB history. However, Albert Pujols would be welcomed to play first base in Detroit.

The Tigers could simply move Cabrera to DH, but that would mean that they would need to move Victor Martinez back to catcher which is a very unlikely scenario. Detroit has had payrolls of over $130 million in the past and they could be willing to go that high again if it meant getting Albert Pujols.

Kansas City Royals

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Offer: None

Kansas City has one of the most promising young players in baseball. Eric Hosmer looks like he will be the Royals future at first base. If this were a few years down the line when the Royals should be very competitive, it would have been possible to see them break the bank on Pujols.

Signing Pujols would require the Royals to almost double the $38 million payroll that they had this season. That is not a possibility.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Offer: four years, $75 million

If the Dodgers were not going through financial issues, they would have been one of the favorites to make a big offer to Albert Pujols. However, since the team has filed for bankruptcy, there is not much that they can offer to the slugger.

Instead, the Dodgers will have to watch the bidding from the sidelines. They will have a hard enough time trying to retain their own players.

Minnesota Twins

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Offer: five years, $95 million

The Minnesota Twins have the first base position filled by two high paid players for the next few years. Justin Morneau has two years left on his deal and it is likely that Joe Mauer will be the player that replaces him.

Albert Pujols could be brought in and one of those players could become a DH, but that does not seem to be a likely option.

New York Mets

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Offer: seven years, $175 million

While the Wilpon's lawsuit has certainly impacted the New York Mets finances, there is still a chance that they can sign Albert Pujols. Their payroll will be nowhere near the $142 million range that it was in 2011.

After their players go through arbitration, the Mets' payroll should be around $80 million. The Mets could just throw money at Albert Pujols even though they have Ike Davis. If they sign Pujols, it means that there is no chance that Jose Reyes will be back.

New York Yankees

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Offer: 10 years, $300 million

If Albert Pujols is going to get $300 million this winter, the team that will be paying him will be the New York Yankees. Even though the Yankees already have Mark Teixeira at first base, they would be willing to sign Albert Pujols.

The Yankees could make Pujols their only target this winter and if they want him that badly, then they will offer him whatever it takes to bring him in.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies may be without a starting first baseman to begin 2012, but that does not mean that they will be going after Albert Pujols.

Philadelphia may already be regretting the Ryan Howard deal and they will not be giving even more money to another first baseman. If the Phillies did decide to open the bank, they could make a big offer.

San Francisco Giants

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Offer: seven years, $200 million

There has been talk that the San Francisco Giants might move Buster Posey to first base next season, but they would have no problem leaving him behind home plate if they were to bring in Albert Pujols.

San Francisco has the finances to make a move for Albert Pujols. He would instantly make their lineup better and the team could be better than the 2010 one which won the World Series.

Seattle Mariners

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Offer: six years, $156 million

The Seattle Mariners could be one of the more surprising teams that get involved in the bidding for Albert Pujols. They will have only $60 million committed to players after the departures of Carlos Silva and Milton Bradley as well as arbitration raises for a few players.

Seattle could come in with a big offer. However, the Mariners will likely need to spend extra money to convince Pujols to play in Seattle.

Tampa Bay Rays

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Offer: five years, $95 million

The Tampa Bay Rays have employed a strategy of locking up players to long term deals while they are young so that they get a discounted rate for their services. They will not be getting any discounts for Albert Pujols.

If the Rays signed Pujols, the balance of power in the AL East would certainly shift. However, they do not have enough money to make a move like this.

Texas Rangers

It is hard to imagine what the Texas Rangers' lineup would look like with Albert Pujols in it. They already have one of the best offenses in the MLB and signing Pujols would make it down right scary.

Pujols could put up massive numbers in Arlington. The Rangers are not afraid to spend money and could be one of the finalists for Pujols. They would need to move Michael Young to make something happen.

Washington Nationals

Last year the Washington Nationals made a big splash when the signed Jayson Werth to a mega-deal. The Nationals could break the bank once again for Albert Pujols.

There would be the added benefit of having Pujols act for a mentor for a young and somewhat immature Bryce Harper once he reaches the majors. It would also make the Nationals a contender sooner rather than later.